How We Protect our Community

Although the Counterdrug Program is federally funded, the Soldiers and Airmen within the task force are all National Guardsmen under the control of New York state.

As Guardsmen, we are “Citizen Soldiers” and your fellow neighbors. The talented Soldiers and Airmen who live throughout our great state want the same thing you do... a safer community.

Our personnel are experts and trainers in fields of investigative analytical support to law enforcement investigations, drug demand reduction outreach support and aerial observation and imagery. We are passionate in our unique military skills and eager to help support our local communities to reduce the supply and demand of illegal narcotics.

Our Programs

• Investigative Analysis: Provides link analysis, document exploitation, financial analysis, and case construction support to federal, state, local and tribal agencies with the focus of disrupting the financing, production, transportation, and distribution of illicit drugs.
• Drug Demand Reduction (DDRO): Provides leadership planning, cross organizational coordination and the military decision-making process to community coalitions. Also assists Crime Analysis Centers to increase education, prevention and overdose response in order to reduce the demand for illegal narcotics.
• Aviation Support: Provides aerial observation, photographic imagery and communication support to Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) using Army LUH-60 air assets.
• Training: Provides specialized military training to law enforcement and other agencies.
• Linguistic Support: Provides post-collection transcription and translation of Law Enforcement Agency evidence by military qualified Linguists.

Authorities: Authorizing Operational Guidance

• Section 112, Title 32, United States Code (32 USC 112) (D), authorizes the National Guard, as a component of the Department of Defense, to conduct counterdrug operations.
• 32 USC 112 authorizes the Secretary of Defense to provide funds to the state’s whose governor requests funds for drug interdiction and counterdrug activities to be carried out by National Guard members in that state.
• Upon approval from the Secretary of Defense, DOD funds each respective state plan through the Chief, National Guard Bureau.
• Section 1004 of the FY 1991 National Defense Authorization Act (P. L. 101-510) authorizes the Secretary of Defense to provide an expanded range of counterdrug support to any other department or agency of the federal government or any state, local, or foreign law enforcement agency, provided such support meets specific procedural criteria
• NYS Division of Military and Naval Affairs Regulation 500-2 authorizes and perscribes the standard policies, procedures, and responsibilities and overall concept of operations governing the utilization of the New York National Guard Counterdrug Task Force in support of law enforcement agencies and community based organizations to counter illicit drug activity.

National Guard Counterdrug Program

Mission: Created by Congress in 1989, the National Guard Counterdrug Program conducts a full spectrum campaign that bridges the gap between and among DoD and Non-DoD institutions in the fight against illicit drugs and transnational threats to the Homeland. We support military, law enforcement, and community based counterdrug operations at all levels of government to anticipate, deter, and defeat these threats to enhance national security and protect our society.

Vision: We, the Soldiers and Airmen of the National Guard Counterdrug Program, will become the catalysts for synchronized cooperation between and among DoD and federal, state, and local agencies across the full spectrum of counterdrug homeland defense operations. By leveraging our unique military capabilities, national resources, and community focus we will play a central role in shaping our nation's response to drug and associated transnational security threats.

Leadership Message: Our nation is in the midst of a fentanyl crisis. Congress recognizes the Counterdrug Program as a national asset in combatting that threat. The NYS Counterdrug Task Force embodies the profession of arms, the character, and the moral obligation to do more for the communities we live and work in. Through standardization, specialized training, and organized coordinated operations we will expand partnerships, strengthen collaborative efforts, and enhance public awareness to decrease the number of people dying from drug overdoses.